Zumtobel sets up OLED luminair company in Dresden

A German-Austrian joint venture is to develop and produce OLED lighting in Dresden, writes Steve Bush.

Called Ledon OLED Lighting, the investors are Zumtobel Group of Austria, which owns UK firm Thorn Lighting; German applied research organisation Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft; and several employees at the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS) research lab.

“Organic light-emitting diodes are where the future lies when it comes to wide-area lighting solutions. By setting up Ledon OLED we are one of the early movers investing in this technology of the future,” said Zumtobel CEO Andreas Ludwig.

The aim is to set up a team of 10-15 specialists in the first year focusing on the development and production of OLED-based lighting modules.

“We are out to offer our customers customised solutions involving the use of OLED light modules in luminaires and signage lighting. Our approach in this respect is entirely dependent upon close collaboration between all parties,” said Ledon co-founder and MD-in-waiting Jorg Amelung.